Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index (a benchmark for equities listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange) has rallied to HK$26,185 — a 10 percent recovery from its 2026 low — after China posted stronger-than-expected first-quarter GDP growth of 5 percent, beating analyst forecasts of 4.8 percent. The rebound comes despite significant global disruption caused by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which had sent Brent crude prices surging to $119.50 per barrel and forced Beijing to lower its annual growth target to 4.5 percent, its weakest since 1991. China's expanding clean energy sector and a Russian offer to help offset oil shortfalls have bolstered investor confidence, though analysts caution that a fragile property market and demographic pressures remain longer-term risks for Chinese equities.